Lancaster CA vs Phoenix AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lancaster
170,013
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.8 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 35.5% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 21.4% | 7.8% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.9% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 41.8% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 57.1% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 32.3% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.3% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.3% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 72.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 10.8 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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